Does the search for a great coffee shop ever end? I don't think so. I think sourcing out interesting places to drink our favourite brew is one of the joys of modern living. So if you're a seeker of fine coffee like me, it's well worth a trip to Fortitude Valley to visit Fifth Battery Coffee Roasters.
Fifth Battery Coffee Roasters was started about 18 months ago by
Brother Espresso who also have a couple of other cafes in Brisbane and one at Bulimba. They named it Fifth Battery after the Regiment that their Grandfather served with during the war and aimed to make it quite different from their other stores.
The first thing I noticed as I walked down Warry Street was the amazing building. You would hardly know there was a coffee shop inside this curved roof World War Two army bunker except for the A-frame sign erected on the footpath.
The entry to the cafe is unpretentious, but as you continue past the large steel doors you realise that this is a very funky little cafe. Large wall murals, stained glass, wire mesh and the bunker's curved ceilings all work together to create a great atmosphere and something just a little bit different. At the back of the store there is an enclosed outdoor area that looks like you are sitting in an aviary; a very nice aviary, with comfy cushions and palm trees. Unfortunately, the shop was only cooled by fans and didn't seem to have air conditioning so I imagine it might get a little warm in there on hot days.
Okay, let's get down to the important stuff - the coffee. The roasting machine is right there in the store. As I drank my coffee I was able to watch the roaster who frequently took samples from the beans in the machine to check how the roasting was going. You know your coffee is going to be as fresh as it can possibly be when it's roasted in store.
Moving on from the roasting, they also have three grinding machines in this cafe. That is a great thing because you know that your coffee is going to be ground fresh, even if you drink decaf like me. The other two machines contained their house blend and a changing selection of single origin coffee.
With all of this attention to detail in preparing the beans, I expected the barista techniques would be pretty good too, and I was not disappointed. My coffee was spot on; temperature, cream, and milk froth were all perfect, and the presentation was beautiful. Love these cool playing card table numbers too.
Fifth Battery Coffee Roasters also have a delicious looking breakfast and lunch menu. I think I will be making another trip there to sample their Brekky Burger soon.
So next time you are on a quest for great coffee, give Fifth Battery Coffee Roasters a try. You may find just what you are looking for.
